CENTRAL AMERICA & CARIBBEAN

History  Cultural hearth of the Mayan culture.  Mayans built independent states ruled by god-kings in Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras.  Tikal was center of Mayan civilization.

 Spain controlled central America until  By 1830s countries started to gain their independence from the region.  Declared independence due to: No respect for Creoles (people of European ancestry born in the New World) No Free Trade (could only export to Spain) American Independence from Europe Americans; not Spaniards  By the 19 th century the Caribbean was claimed by European powers; involved in slave trade.

 Haiti was first to declare independence in the Caribbean in a slave rebellion in  First black led country in the world.  Haiti is the poorest country in the Americas.  Political violence throughout Haiti’s history has led to unstable government, society, and economy.  2010  Haiti earthquake killed over 220,000.  Still hasn’t recovered due to a poor government response, disease, and poverty.

Culture  Mix of Spanish and native culture.  Spanish took land, cut down forests and built large farms and towns, forcing the Indians to live in towns.  Caribbean is a mix of European, African, and native culture.

Economy  Most of the people are poor as a result of colonialism.  Sugar cane plantations in the Caribbean are the largest export crop; also bananas, fruit, coffee and spices.  Central America economy focuses on farming coffee and bananas.

 Trade is important due to Panama Canal which connects Atlantic to Pacific for ships.  Most people live on rural farms in Central America.  Most live in cities in the Caribbean.

Culture and Tourism  Music influenced by African heritage is important to culture.  Reggae and calypso music deal with social problems and religion.  Local tourism is important for jobs.

NICARAGUA BOUND… Poetry and Revolution…

El Plan… 4 weeks  Granada  Leon  Ometepe  San Juan del Sur

 Granada  oldest city in the “New World.” Colonial buildings, cafes, lake beaches, jungle tours, horse back riding etc.  Leon  Volcano hiking and ash surfing!  Ometepe  Island in the middle of lake Nicaragua with two volcanoes. 8 th wonder of the world with monkeys, jungle, swimming, fishing and indigenous people.  San Juan del Sur  Beach town to learn how to SURF!